Control device for a trim tab of a boat

ABSTRACT

A control device for a trim tab of a boat, includes at least a pair of stabilizers, one for each side of the boat, formed by blades ( 2 ) and by a control actuator ( 3 ) for each blade which determines the change in angle of the blade itself compared to the ideal flat water surface, and including a joystick which, with its movement, controls the actuators, in order to determine the positioning of the stabilizers and, therefore, to obtain predetermined conditions of the trim tab.

TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

This invention refers to a control device for electromechanical actuators. In particular, this invention refers to a control device for electromechanical actuators, for example in the nautical field and, in particular, for trim tabs for pleasure boats.

Control devices are known for these types of actuators that use keyboards and buttons to operate the trim tabs of pleasure boats. These tabs are generally placed astern, sometimes under the hull of the boat and are made up of stabilizers, which usually consist of metal plates, and a hydraulic or electromechanical cylinder actuator, which determines the change in angle of the stabilizer compared to the ideal flat surface of water; such plates are attached to the hull of the boat by a hinge.

Sometimes these stabilizers are also equipped with sensors that can detect, minute by minute, the angle of the plate so the trim can be controlled more effectively.

This invention proposes to realise an effective control device for this type of trim tab actuator for vessels able to determine, in a simple, quick and effective way, the movements that are to be carried out on the boat. This kind of effect may be obtained through a joystick device that allows the lever of the joystick to be moved manually reproducing the same movement that one wants the boat to make.

The subject of this invention s a control device for trim tab actuators for vessels having the characteristics of the attached claim 1.

The characteristics and advantages of the device according to this invention will be more apparent from the following description of its typical implementation, as an example but not limited to this, referring to the attached figures which illustrate in particular:

FIG. 1 the control device according to this invention in perspective view;

FIG. 2 the control device and the complex structure of the elements of the trim tab according to this invention;

FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d illustrate the four positions of the joystick in relation to the same number of conditions of trim tab.

With reference to the abovementioned figures, a trim tab for the boat is positioned at the stern of the same and is made up of a pair of stabilizers on each side of a boat B.

They are usually made up of plates or blades 2 in metallic materials and include a control actuator 3, such as a hydraulic or electromechanical cylinder, which determines the change in angle of the stabilizers compared to the ideal flat water surface. To this end, these plates are attached to the hull of the boat by means of a hinge 21.

The control device is capable of controlling the movement of the actuators and of determining the various conditions of the trim tab.

The control device includes a container body 4 in which the switches and the control circuit are inserted. On top of this there is a joystick 41 or actuation handle of the device placed in the centre of a circumference 42, which presents graphic indications 43 of the various conditions of trim tab of the boat.

With its movement the joystick controls such actuators in order to determine the positioning of the stabilizers to reach certain predetermined conditions of the trim tab.

In FIGS. 3 a-3 d just as many conditions of the trim tab are shown. In particular, in FIG. 3 a, the condition of the trim tab is shown that is used to lower the bow of the boat with the actuators completely or partially opened to lower the stabilizers. In FIG. 3 b, the condition is shown that corrects a boat listing to the starboard by lifting the starboard stabilizer should it be down and lowering the port one. In FIG. 3 c the condition is shown that corrects a boat listing, to port, lifting the port stabilizer should it be down and lowering the starboard one. In FIG. 3 d, the condition is shown that allows you to raise the stabilizers completely using the actuators when the boat's trim does not require corrections or when the vessel is manoeuvring or mooring at the quayside.

A predetermined movement of the joystick corresponds to each of the above conditions in such way as to operate a switch. In particular to achieve the condition of stabilizers raised, the joystick is moved back, to reach the condition of the bow lowered, the joystick is moved forward; to correct a listing to starboard, the joystick is moved to port and, finally, in order to correct the listing to port, the joystick is moved to starboard.

Preferably, moving the joystick in each of the four directions, orthogonal to one another, determines the command corresponding to one of the four conditions mentioned above through the activation of at least one of the four switches. Advantageously, the mutually orthogonal directions, refer o the dial of a clock, respectively, forward-at 12 o'clock, back-6 o'clock, starboard-3 o'clock and 9 o'clock port.

Switches can be positioned in the control circuit to take advantage of a reverse polarity voltage to reverse the rotation of DC motors and therefore the movement of the actuators. Similarly, other equivalent circuits can be made, which use different principles to achieve the same function. 

1. Control device for a trim tab of a boat, said trim tab comprising at least a pair of stabilizers, one for each side of the boat, formed by blades and by a control actuator for each blade which determines the change in angle of the blade itself compared to an ideal flat water surface, said control device comprising a joystick which, with movement thereof, controls said actuators, in order to determine the positioning of the stabilizers and, therefore, to obtain predetermined conditions of the trim tab.
 2. Device as by claim 1, wherein for each of the predetermined conditions, there corresponds a predetermined movement of the joystick which operates at least a switch.
 3. Device as by claim 2, wherein the predetermined conditions are stabilizers raised, stabilizers lowered with a bow of the boat in a low position, correction of the boat listing to starboard and correction of the boat listing to port.
 4. Device as by claim 3, wherein the movement of the joystick in each of four directions orthogonal to one another determines the control corresponding to one of the four predetermined conditions by mean of operation of at least one of the four switches.
 5. Device as by claim 4, wherein the directions orthogonal to one another refer to a dial of a clock, respectively as follows: stabilizers lowered with the bow in the low position, at 12 o'clock; stabilizers raised, at 6 o'clock; port stabilizer raised and starboard stabilizer lowered to correct a starboard angle, at 3 o'clock; and port stabilizer lowered and starboard stabilizer raised to correct a port angle, at 9 o'clock.
 6. Device as by claim 1, further comprising: switches, a control circuit, a container body in which the switches and the control circuit are inserted, and the joystick is positioned on top of the container body in a center of a circumference which presents graphic indications relative to the predetermined conditions of the trim tab of the boat.
 7. Device as by claim 6, wherein each actuator includes a motor, and the control circuit transforms the movement of the joystick in operation of motors of each actuator.
 8. Device as by claim 7, wherein the switches are positioned to take advantage of a reverse polarity voltage for reversing rotation of DC motors of the actuators and consequently movement of the actuators. 